ナショナルジオグラフィックのインスタグラム(natgeo) - 10月9日 23時08分

Image by @Joel Sartore |
This #pollinatormonday features the master of pollinator self-defense: the thistledown velvet ant. Though appearing cute and soft, this pollinator is packing some major heat. The velvet ant is actually a wasp with very painful bristles that feel nothing at all like velvet to its attackers. It isn't just pokey, either: its sting is so painful that it is often referred to as the “cow killer”, though that's an exaggeration. It also releases a very alarming squeak when threatened that’s created by moving sections of its abdomen in and out very quickly and scraping its body with a tooth-like projection. This sound is not only unpleasant to hear, but also feels like a mini-jackhammer in the mouth of any unfortunate predator that decides the velvet ant looks like a tasty snack. In addition to its sharp spines and unpleasant noises, the velvet ant has one final defense mechanism: odor. This insect can release special chemicals called ketones that work to deter predators and can even trigger alarm behavior in other predatory ants, causing them to scatter in fear and retreat from the velvet ant. Though parasitic in nature and feeding primarily on larvae of the sand fly and other wasps, adult velvet ants drink nectar and pollinate many species of flowers. Now that’s a well-adapted pollinator!
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#pollinatorhero #ant #strangeanimals #defensemechanism #velvetant #insects #nature #conservation #biodiversity #animalfacts #wildlife #wildlifephotography #natgeo #savetogether #photoark

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